Catfish farming is increasingly becoming an attractive form of agriculture for many Nigerians especially young people. Farming fish which belongs to the part of agriculture referred to as ‘aquaculture’ is catching the eye of many people as the prospects of profit, especially at first glance seem motivating enough. This form of agriculture has found a huge followers-base primarily due to the relative ease of culturing catfish, the readily available markets for catfish, e.g. with restaurants, especially as catfish is a treasured delicacy among many Nigerian cultures as well as the profitability of a successful catfish venture.

Many Nigerians involved in catfish farming use concrete ponds or plastic tanks. Both methods have their strengths and weaknesses and it is wise for the would-be catfish farmer to explore these perspectives before making a decision on which to adopt. While using concrete pond seems to be more natural to culturing catfish, plastic tanks can come handy where availability of space is a constraint. Using ponds also gives the farmer the leverage of culturing a relatively larger number of fishes as pond design can be tailored from the outset to match intended fish density. Culturing tanks are however limited in sizes and fixed, thus limiting the catfish farmer to stocking the tanks with a restricted number of fishes for best results.African catfish usually takes an average of 5 months to reach table size. At this age they usually have attained an average weight of 1kg. The weight attained by catfish after 5 months is however variable depending on a number of factors that may include, quality of fingerlings used, quality of feeds, water management quality, absence of disease, stocking density among others. It is not uncommon to have fish weigh up to 1.5kg after five months.

The market price of African catfish is usually gauged per kg-weight of fish. This price varies across several geographical locations in Nigeria. On the average catfish can be sold for N800/kg in Lagos, N850/kg in Makurdi and N900/kg in Abuja. The market for catfish however is not lacking, irrespective of geographical location, disparities merely occur in the pricing of catfish: which is dependent on the dynamics of demand and supply.Before venturing into catfish farming, it is pertinent to take a number of factors into consideration for success. Rearing catfish is not merely about buying fingerlings and ‘dumping’ them in a pond and then feeding them ‘thrice’ a day. From the outset the farmer should take time to put into consideration the following: quality of fingerlings, pond design, feeding program, water management and well as markets for harvested catfish.

Quality of Fingerlings: Catfish fingerlings are of different breeds, just like other species of animals. It is important that the catfish farmer takes his time to identify fast growing and disease resistant breeds of fingerlings to ensure profitability in a catfish venture. This can be done through appropriate consultation with a specialist in fingerlings and physically evaluating fingerlings from several farms before making a pick on stock of fingerlings.

Pond Design: Stocking density plays a huge role in the growth rate of cultured catfish. Like for all other animals over-crowding catfish would increase competition for resources like food and oxygen. This can promote the growth of some fish at the expense of others and in the end lead to cannibalism. Besides, pressure stresses due to over-stocking are bound to affect the all-round development of fish in the pond. Once stunted growth sets in from the outset it is bound to linger. Therefore the catfish farmer would want to consider an appropriate length, breadth and depth of pond, depending on his intended number of fishes to stock pond with. Also pond design should incorporate provision for the separation of fishes in the event that growth is non-proportionate to avoid cannibalism. Water management for pond would mean periodic changing of water and pond design should incorporate this from the outset to avoid challenges.

Feeding Catfish: This constitutes the bulk of the cost of rearing catfish, usually 60% and above. In most places in Nigeria available catfish feeds are imported and cost an average of N7,000/15kg bag. A 15kg bag can take 700 two month old fishes just 10 days! While you are in a hurry to start reaping the profit from catfish culturing, be prepared beforehand for the challenge of feeding the fishes. Catfish can be fed once or twice a day. Excessive feeding of fingerlings increases the cost of rearing catfish and thus results in wastage as this may only result in marginal growth increases. Feeds are also a primary source of pond water pollution and excessive feeding constitutes a water management challenge. Thus the catfish farmer needs to strike a balance between feeding and water management. There are several subjective formulas used to determine an appropriate feeding program for fish. One is to provide as much feeds that fishes can finish in 5 – 10 minutes. This can then be used as the quantity of feed needed for ‘satiation’. Using this formula, catfish can be fed just once a day.With respect to feeding catfish, an alternative for Nigerian farmers is the use of locally-made feeds. Unlike the imported counterpart, local feeds cost an average of N40,000/15kg bag without considerable growth implications. A challenge however would be to access sources of such local feeds as most parts of Nigeria are filled with the expensive imported feeds.

Water Management: A huge percentage of fish deaths have been related to water management issues. Pond design should take into consideration the pH of water (acidic water kills fish real fast, basic water is suitable for fingerlings and neutral water is required for fries (really tiny fishes)). It is also important to stimulate the growth of plankton by introducing manure into the pond before stocking with fingerlings. Oxygen requirement for fishes is dependent on an effective water management system as too much plankton growth results in competition for oxygen among plankton and catfish. Waste from fish as well as pollution from feeds also reduce the oxygen content of pond water, resulting in stresses on fish. An indication of declining oxygen is when fishes are seen for considerable periods on the water surface (trying to breathe better). Water should be replaced from time to time (though this can be a challenge in places where water availability is a problem)

The aim of every fish farmer is to breed a fish to one kilogramme body weight or more in the shortest possible time, usually between four and five months if properly done. Unit prices for table sized are between N800 and N850 per kg at the farm gate. One gets more profit if one operates a market outlet to cut off shylock middlemen.People find it difficult to get the fast growing species of fish. But, I am happy to tell you that at farming business setup 08036320607, we have quality fingerlings you can start your fish farming business with. Our catfish species grow faster and heavier than any other catfish.

As you can see, you too can easily and quickly build a much better catfish farming business for you and your family; by simply learning all these tips, tricks & time saving shortcuts that the top producers use every single day. And the good news is that now you can have access to them all in my new guide Titled

COMPLETE GUIDE TO INVESTING IN CATFISH FARMING IN NIGERIA..................

Our guide will run you through questions you need to consider before construction of your catfish pond begins. It will also give you a basic idea on what to expect when operating and managing your catfish business.

TOPICS COVERED IN THE MANUALCHAPTER 1HOW TO IMPLEMENT THE BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICESIntroductionCommercial Fish ProductionSustainable aquaculture productionWhy some fish farmers failSitting the farmFive ways to make money from catfish farming in Nigeria

CHAPTER 6FEEDINGFeeds, feeding and feed millingFeed formulation and processingFeed formulation table from 2month old fish and aboveAn example are as shown below (this is a proven formula) for a tone (1000kg)Culturing tilapia for feeding your fishHandling, sampling and harvestingCatfish healthPractical preventive measuresPredators and their Control

CHAPTER 7RUNNING A FISH FARM AS A BUSINESSRunning a fish farm as a businessOperational cost for stocking 3,000 catfishFrequently asked question and answersFish Feed Dealers in Nigeria

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Thinking that we might live you after your purchase? Definitely no! We assure you of maximum support when you need us. Please, do not hesitate to ask us for the way ahead. You can contact us at Opeyemi.lamson@farmingbizsetup.com or call the following numbers 07081447709

FARM BUSINESS SETUP HEAD OFFICE8 Kolab close off Olomowewe,Adiyan Gasline (Agbado Oja)Ogun State.

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Visit any Ecobank close to youECOBANK RAPID TRANSFER• Convenient! No need to source foreign currency: you send in local currency we deliver in receiver’s currency - Full amount delivered to receiver; the sender takes care of the charges• Reliable! Truly rapid, we deliver in minutes• Available to you whether you have an account with Ecobank or not.It is very easy!!!!! Sending money? Follow these four simple steps1. Go to any Ecobank branch and complete a Rapid Transfer ‘Send Form’ at the dedicated Teller’s desk2. Submit a valid means of Identification3. Pay-in the amount you want to transfer (In Your Currency), plus commission to Teller

After placing your order, SMS your payment information (Manual title, Name on teller, payment teller number, and your e-mail address) E.g. catfish manual, Kayode koffi Hamed ,984747, mymail@yahoo.com To 08036320607 once I confirm your payment. The manual will be sent to your immediately! By e-mail Trust us 100% to do that. Your e-book (electronic book) is downloadable from your e-mail box which allows you to read and print out this book• Zero shipping costs. • No waiting time, forget having to wait weeks for postal delivery. • No risk of products lost in the mail or damaged

Please text your payment details E.g. email address, name of depositor, amount paid & what for and date of payment to 08036320607 or email same information to us at Opeyemi.lamson@farmingbizsetup.com and we will promptly deliver what you paid for to you.If you have any further questions please call me direct on this phone numbers08036320607, 08027524739

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HEAD OFFICE8 Kolab close off olomowewe,Adiyan Gasline (Agbado Oja)Ogun State.30min drive from ajala, ijaye or Kola Bus stop Abeokuta Express way Lagos30min drive from Fagba,iju station or ishaga LagosJust call 08036320607 for directions to the farm